Auxiliary base for signal and cable posts



NOV. 5, 1 929 J MOLLQY 1,734,594

AUXILIARY BASE FOR SIGNAL AND CABLE POSTS Filed May 2, 1927 v 3 Sheets-$heet l Nov. 5, 1929. J. H. MOLLOY AUXILIARY BASE FOR SIGNAL AND CABLE POSTS Filed May 2, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWW/ Nov. 5, 1929. J. H. MOLLOY AUXILIARY BASE FOR SIGNAL AND CABLE POSTS 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed.May 2, 1927 Patented Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES H. MOLLOY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE RAILROAD SUPPLY COM- IPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION. OF ILLINOIS AUXILIARY BASE FOR SIGNAL AND CABLE POSTS Application filed May 2 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in auxiliary bases for signal and cable posts.

The device serves the double function of providing an auxiliary base for a conventional signal post and a chamber wherein a plurality of circuit wires, connected with a source of power, and circuit wires leading to the signal, as well as to other electrical devices, not necessarily associated with the signal, may be conveniently connected as desired. Heretofore signal posts have been mounted directly upon a concrete foundation and the circuit wires led from a source of supply to a junction box located adj acent to the foundation or to the signal post, but not a part thereof. These arrangements have beenundesirable in that the junction boxes are unsightly in appearance and their location has subjected the circuit wires to undue exposure.

The object of this invention is to produce a construction which, when used with a foundation and signal post, will form a unitary structure, which will serve as a junction box for the circuit wires, and have suitable openings for the incoming and outgoing Wires, and to render the interior of the device accessible.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for securely closing the said open ings so that the interior of the chamber and its contents will be properly protected.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the concrete foundation and the auxiliary base that the circuit wire cable may enter the auxiliary base and the wires be led away from the auxiliary base Without being exposed to the elements.

In the drawings:

Figure 1. is a front elevation of an auxiliary base for signal posts embodyingmy invention,

together with a signal post and the concrete foundation, the latter being. shown in section. Figure 2 is a transverse. vertical, sectional view, taken in plane in the line 22 of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Figure 3 is a horizontal, sectional view taken in the plane of the line 33 of Figure 2,

1927. Serial N0. 188,391.

and looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Figure 4 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view taken in the plane of the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal, sectional view of a modified form taken in the plane of the line 55 of Figure 6, certain parts of the structure being omitted.

Figure 6 is a front view of the modified form show in Figure 5.

In the drawings represents my auxiliary base, as a whole, B is a concrete foundation therefor, and C is a conventional signal post. A 65 The auxiliary base A comprises a metal housing, having vertically extending side walls 1, and horizontal top and bottom, inwardly extending, annular flanges 2 and 3, respectively. The annular flanges 2 and 3 are of such width as to leave a central opening 4 in the top and bottom of the housing A, to accommodate the cable 5 which enters the housing A through the passageway 6 in the concrete foundation B. The central opening 4 in the upper flange permits circuit wires to be led upwardly into the signal post C.

The housing A may be round in horizontal cross section as shown in Figures 1 04, inclusive, or it may be square as shown in Figc ures 5 and 6. The shape of the housing is i1nmaterial.

The side Walls of the housing A are provided with a number of openings, four being shown to render the interior of the housing A accessible, as well as to form one or more out lets for circuit wires or trunking. As shown in Figure 3, three of the wall openings are closed by removable closure plates hereinafter to be described. The fourth opening is used as a trunking outlet.

The trunking housing is secured in one of the wall openings. It may be square in cross section as shown, and has flanges 8 complementally shaped to fit against flanges 9" on the wall 1 surrounding the wall openings. A gasket 10 is interposed between the flanges 8 and 9. The trunking housing 7 is securely held in place by set screws 11, in the screw threaded, apertured lugs 12, which are integral with the flanges 8 of the housing 7. To insert the trunking housing 7 in place, the screws 11 are turned so as to withdraw the ends 13 thereof, and permit the lugs 12 to enter the wall aperture. Then the screws 11 are turned in the opposite direction to bring the ends 13 in contact with the inner wall 1 of the housing A. In this manner the flanges S are tightly held against the wall flanges 9 and gasket 10.

Referring now to the means for closing the other apertures in the wall 1 of the housing A, 14: indicates an apertured closure plate, strengthened by ribs 14:, and having flanges 15 complemental to flanges 9 of the wall 1. A gasket 10 is interposed between the flanges 15 and 9. The closure plate 1 1 may be curved, as shown in Figures 1 to 1, inclusive, or flat, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, depending on the form of housing A with which it may he used. The closure plate 1 1 is held in position by a screw bolt 16, which extends through the aperture 17 in the closure plate It, and through the threaded aperture in a retaining bar 18. The retaining bar 18 is held in proper horizontal position by lugs 19 which project from the inner surface of the closure plate 1 1-. By turning the head 20 of the bolt 16, the retaining bar 18 is drawn closer to the closure plate 14: thereby holding the retaining bar 18 closely against the inner surface of the wall 1 and maintaining the flange 15 snugly against the gasket 10 and flange 9 of the wall 1.

It will. be noted that the openings in the wall 1, flanged. at 9, are identical in size and form. so that one or more may be used as trunking outlets and may have trunking housings secured therein, or may be closed by closure plates 14 heretofore described.

The flanges 2 and 3 exteu ding from the wall 1, are provided with vertically arranged pairs of lugs 21 between which a terminal board 22 is positioned. The terminal board 22, per se, is not a part of my invention and need not be described in detail. It is provided with con ventional terminal pl ates and binding posts whereby the circuit wires may be conveniently connected as desired.

It will be understood that the bottom flange 3 oil? the housing A rests upon the concrete 'base B, the central opening 1 therein registering with the passageway 6 in the concrete 1%, as heretofore explained. The base plate 23 of a conventional gnal pest C constitutes a top "for the auxiliary base housing A and rests upon the upper flange 2 thereof.

In new installations, I prefer to use relatively long anchor bolts 24, embedded in the concrete B, said anchor bolts being adapted to extend upwardly through apertures 26 in the flanges 2 and 3 01" the auxiliary base A, and through apertures in the signal post base 23. A nut is provided for the bolts 24, to

hold the base 23 firmly down upon the housing A.

In Figure 6, I have shown a modified method of securing the auxiliary base A between the foundation B and the signal base C. That is to say, instead of using the relatively long anchor bolts 2 1, I use a number of shorter bolts 27 and nuts 28. This method of attachment is preferably used in repair jobs where the auxiliary base is interposedbetween an existing signal post and its foundation B.

The modified form shown in Figure 5 need not be described in detail. It differs from that shown in Figure 3 only in that the shape of the housing is square instead of round, and flat closure plates 14 are used in place of curved plates. In this form the bolt holes 26 are elongated.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that this device will function efficiently a junction box for circuit wires and its interposition between the concrete foundation and the conventional signal posts results in a saving of metal in the construction of junction boxes and in providing a desirable method or leading the circuit wires to a signal and to other electric devices not associated with the signal.

While I have herein described the housing 7 with its flanges 8 as a housing for trunking (known by those skilled in the art to be a wooden container for loose wires), I desire it to be understood that the housing 7 may serve as a conduit for armored wires and cables as well as a trunking housing.

I claim for my invention:

1. A base for a signal post comprising a housing structure having means for securement to a foundation and also having provision for the mounting of a signal post thereon, with communication between the interior of the housing and the interior of the signal post, said housing structure having openings in its side walls provided with interchangeable outlet fit-tings and closure plates.

2. A base for a signal post comprising a housing structure having means for securement to a foundation and also having provision for the mounting of a signal post thereon, with communication between the interior of the housing and the interior of the signal post, said housing structure having openings in its side walls provided with interchangeable outlet fittings and closure plates, and means for securing a terminal board in said hollow body.

In testimony that I, claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature this 25th day of April, 1927.

JAMES H. MOLLOY. 

